Meaning behind the Air Force Special Operations Command emblem:The black background symbolizes the night; the time when the command conducts its operations. The winged dagger represents military preparedness and swift and silent mobilization of forces. The yellow hilt of the dagger refers to the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The blue disc with star suggests the heritage of Air Force special operations. The blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations.

AFSOC revised their emblem November 10, 1993 changing the scroll lettering to ultramarine blue and the border to Air Force yellow. The border color change was to make the emblem look more like other Air Force MAJCOM emblems.